Derby swimming pool complex approved
Our ambitious proposals for a state-of-the-art swimming and leisure facility at Moorways in Derby have been approved by Derby City Council. Construction is now planned to start on the Moorways site later this year with the complex scheduled to open in 2020.
The proposals include a ten-lane, 50 metre swimming pool; a leisure water area for families and a learner pool. Alongside the water spaces, there are a range of dry facilities including a gym, fitness studios, sauna and steam rooms, café and soft play area. The adaptable 50 metre pool contains two booms and two moving floors, affording the facility the flexibility to form three separate 25 metre swimming spaces or a wide variety of other arrangements.
The chosen site neighbours Osmaston Park and the Rolls-Royce Aerospace Campus. It comprises undulating parkland with an area of protected woodland known as Elm Wood. This fantastic natural context provides the opportunity to create a leisure destination where visitors can be active in an uplifting natural setting.
The nature of the proposed activities within the building led the design team to devise a simple, modular design, featuring two differentiated volumes; a ‘wet’ box and a ‘dry’ box. The changes in level of the undulating landscape have been addressed by stacking the boxes perpendicularly, creating a natural entrance in the ‘dry’ upper volume. Large glass openings at either end of each box, respond to the different characters of the setting.
The elevational treatment of the volumes creates two simple steel box portals, the silver palate of materials reflecting and celebrating the city’s enduring links with the aerospace industry.
Michael Hall, Partner at FaulknerBrowns Architects, said: “It has been a great pleasure working with Derby City Council to integrate the 50m pool complex into its natural setting at Moorways and we are delighted that the plans are now able to move ahead.”
Councillor Baggy Shanker, the Cabinet Member leading on the New Swimming Pool Complex, said: “This state of the art facility will be a game changer for swimming in Derby. We have pledged to open this New Swimming Pool Complex to the public in 2020. Our investment in the City will ensure Derby continues to be a great place to live, work and visit.”
